Conveying and storing units



Aug 9, 1960 J. G. KAY ETAL 2,948,386

CONVEYING AND STRING UNITS Filed May 26. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 9, 1960 J. G. KAY ETAL CONVEYING AND STORING 'UNITS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed may 2e.A 195e ahnanllnbr.. Lund-num..

CLN);

mlzmw INVENTORS 757m@ Ka Patented Aug. 9, 1960 :ice

CONVEYING AND STORING UNITS John G. Kay, Detroit, and Michael Dahich, St. Clair Shores, Mich., assignors to F. .Ios. Lamb Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed May 26, 1958, Ser. No. 737,814

8 Claims. (Cl. 198-219) This invention relates to improvements in conveying and storing units, and refers more particularly to such units for conveying and storing pieces of circular stock, such as shafting and the like, as they pass from one machine to another during the mass production of such parts.

It is an object of the invention to provide such conveying and storing units wherein means are provided for imparting a step-by-step forward movement to workpieces placed thereon, whereby they are intermittently advanced a short distance ata time until they reach the foremost unoccupied position thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a conveying and storing unit wherein means are prvided for automatically re-commencing the intermittent forward movement of the workpieces as others in front are removed.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a conveying and storing unit wherein means are provided for advancing the workpieces slowly and intermittently along the unit in such a manner that they are not brought vinto violent contact with any part thereof during their travel therealong; and wherein, in one embodiment of the invention, means are provided for preventing any two workpieces coming into contact with one another throughout their travel along the unit. Thus we aim, among other things, to protect the workpieces from damage during their travel along the unit.

Having thus briefly and broadly stated some of the objects and advantages of the invention, we will now describe it in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of the invention on a reduced scale, and

Figure 2 is a partial plan view on a larger scale.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view showing portions of the invention, and

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.'

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view on a larger scale showing the operation of the yokes and movement of the workpieces.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view on the line 6 6 of Figure l `showing the operation of the hydraulic valves.

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram, .and

Figure 8 is a detail showing a slight modification.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates legs arranged in laterally opposed pairs connected to one another by transverse braces 2. Welded or otherwise secured to and projecting above the legs 1 are vertical mountings 3 to support guide rails 4 which extend along opposite sides of the unit throughout its length. Pads 5 are secured to the inner sides of the legs 1, and fastened as by screws 6a to the inner sides of the pads are spaced, parellel members or plates 6 which extend throughout the length of the unit. Formed through each plate 6 adjacent its upper margin is a horizontal row of uniormly spaced openings 7 each of which is in transverse alignment with one of the openings through the other plate. Thus the parts above described serve as a frame to support pins 8 one of which extends through each opening 7.

Mounted in longitudinally spaced relation against the outer face of each plate 6 andupon consecutive pairs of the pins 8 are track sections 9 all of which are identical and have openings formed therethrough adjacent opposite extremities through which the pins extend. Mounted also in longitudinally spaced relation to one another against the outer faces of the track sections 9, and in overlapping relation to the latter, are other track sections 10 which are identical to the sections 9. Each adjacent pair of pins 8 supports opposite extremities of a track section 9, or 10, and also the adjacent extremities of separate track sections 10, or 9. The openings through each track section are relatively so located that the upper longitudinal edges of all the track sections are parallel and extend forwardly and downwardly-that is each track section is downwardly inclined towards the right in Figures 3 and 5. Thus the rear extremity of each track section projects above the intermediate portion of the contiguous overlapping track section in transverse alignment with it, so thatfa workpiece A travelling downwardly and forwardly upon one opposed pair of track sections 9, or 10, is adapted to be stopped by the rear extremities of the overlapping secti-ons 10, or 9, next in front. By means hereinafter described a workpiece -A resting upon one opposed pair of track sections 9, or 10, and bearing against the rear extremities of the transversely aligned track sections 10, or 9, immediately in front is adapted to be elevated suciently to roll down onto the last named track sections upon which it then continues to travel forward.

Pivoted on the inner extremities of each transversely aligned pair of pins 8 are the opposite extremities of a yoke 11, each of which consists of substantially radial arms 11a connected at their outer extremities by a transverse bar 11b. In the present instance lugs 11a project laterally towards one another from the outer ends of the arms 11a and removably -secured to the said lugs are the opposite ends of the transverse bar 11b. Thus if it is desired to handle workpieces of greater length the width of the yokes may be readily increased by the substitution of longer bars 11b, and at that time the transverse spacing between opposed legs 1 may also be increased by the removal of the braces 2 and substitution of others of greater length. Secured to each of the transverse bars 11b and projecting radially outward therefrom is a finger 12.

Spaced beneath the yokes 11 and extending transversely between the plates 6 by which their opposite extremities are supported are a plurality of shafts 14 around each of which laterally spaced bushings 1'3 are mounted. Supported for rotation on the bushings are rollers 15 having annular flanges extending around their opposite sides. Thus longitudinally aligned `sets of rollers are provided upon which separate and parallel pushers 16 are mounted for reciprocation by means hereinafter described. Each pusher 16 extends through substantially the entire length of the conveyor and preferably consists of two parallel bars 16a held in spaced relation at uniform intervals therealong by bushings 17b on pins 17. The fingers 12 projecting from a predetermined number of consecutive yokes 11 are longitudinally aligned for engagement by consecutive pins 17 forming part of one pusher, and the fingers projecting from an equal number of the next consecutive yokes are longitudinally aligned for engagement by an equal number of pins 17 on the other pusher. The arrangement is preferably such that only relatively few consecutive yokes are moved by each pusher, though altogether each pusher imparts movement to one-half the total number of yokes.

The upperedgefa'ces 18 f the radial arms 11a of. each yoke are Alongitudinally 'somewhat -V-shapedas --may be clearly seen from Figures 3 and 5. When a yoke 111 is so turned about its axis that its linger 12 projects vertically downward then'the1rear'portions :18a ofv` its upper edge faces -18 are-substantially parallel with anclis'lightly beneath the upper margins of the track sections'l9fo'r 10, tin transverse alignment with them, andfthe front-portions -18b -of thoseupper edge-faces =are forwardly 'fand upwardly inclined so 'that they project above vthe'traclc sections in transverse `alignment Withthem. iIhen na workpiece A is adapted'to roll forward along the portionsof the track `sections 49, or "10, Vrabove `andirrtrans- 'verse Valignment with -the 'rea-r portions of that 'yoke until the said workpiece strikes the raised rear `l-extremities ofthe-track sections 10, 'or 9, next in frontfas shown at=B. There the workpieceV remains until the'yoke is movedpivotally about its so'that therearfportions 18a of its upper'edge :faces assume 2a forwardly and downwardly inclined position i18a, -Duringmo'vement to that position the rear portions 18a are .also lifted so that the workpiece thereon raised' toC-tofroll down into and along the rear-portionsoftheftransversely aligned track sections 10, -or 9, against -Whichithat A`workpiece''had previously stopped. After 'travelling partway along those? track sections `10,for 39V, the'workpiece is stopped by the rearof the armsll'a ftheyoke l'next in front, as shown at A2 inFigures VE3 'and 5,"if 'that yoke -nextinfrontihas not by? then yreturned-to its 2vertical position. lBut if the yoke vhas -already're-assumed-its vert-ical position then'the arms no longer ob- .struct forwardmovement ofA the workpiece and. thef latter continues its advance along the track sect-ions 10,for'f9,

until it strikes the rear extremities B offthenextftransversely opposed pair of'tracksectionsflor 10.

The-arrangement of-the yokes -'1'1` is suchthatlwhile they are adapted to be moved to theirl downwardlyvand rearwardly inclined positions bymovement to the lleft `(Figure 3) ofthe pushers 16 andfthe pins 17, they-all Iresume their upright positions vas soon nas they are'free tto do so due tothe locations of their pivot axes.

'At the front extremity, that is atthe -right hand vend -of-Figure 3, a bumper -22'is secured at opposite -ex- 1tremities'to the guide rails 4 and extendsbetween the latter. Consequently when a-workpieceirolls dowmthe -rear' portions d8a (which are then 4forwardly and down- 'wardly inclined) of the'front yoke 11 the bumper stops yit and it remains above the `front-portions 518b of that yoke. Then the weight ofthe workpiece preventslthe yoke from re-assumingits normal verticalposition Aalthough the pin 17 by 'which it was moved toitsfinclined position is returned to its original starting position. 'The pins 17 engage the forward edges of their respective Afingers 12 to pivotA the elevating members 11, but dofnot by-pass or pass beneath such lingers. v'Ilius-the pins" 17' are shown in the night-hand section of Fig. 3 in their original starting position after' being reciprocated to pivot the yokes which are disposed rearwardly orto' the left thereof as viewed `in the drawing. `The succeeding Vworkpieces engage the yokes forwardly thereof to prevent further travel until the yokes they engage return to their original positions. As soon as the leading workpiece is removed, the leading yoke will return to. its original position by gravity and then .the remaining yokes in the set will successively return to .their original positions, allowingthe workpieces to successively advance one position along the track sections. -Infthat way a supply of fworkpieces uniformly spaced `from one another is maintained adjacent the front of the conveyor.

Consequently the unit functions not only as a conveying means but also as astoring means and lfor automatically advancing workpieces to take the place of.those removed "from the front.

The length of the transactions 9 and 1u the shape of the yoke arms 11a determine-.thespacingbetween adjacent workpieces, which should often be suf- `ficient to maintain --flanges or other enlargements -A1 upon adjacent workpieces apart at all times during movement of the conveyor.

From the foregoing it is evident that so long as a yoke remains in its downwardly and rearwardly inclined position a workpiece cannot ipassover it from behind because then the rear portions 18a of the upper edge faces 18 of that yoke -project l`upwardly above-the track sections along ywhich the workpiece wouldotherwisetravel. Lf, therefore, a series of sayiive consecutive .yokes 11 are simultaneouslyiturnedtotheir downwardly and :rearwardly inclined positions by movement of one of the pushers 16, the leadingworkpiece 'will beelevated onto the track section forwardly-thereof and will travel along Asuch track section until stopped by the trailing edges of the next track section, the workpiece which previously occupied such position having been moved ahead by .ithefprevious operation .offt'heother'pusher 16. Each of ithefworkpieces :aboveitlre other four yokes inthe-series will Ibe :elevated by :its yoke r onto fthe track =sectionfimfmediately aheadLand f-willtravel therealonglunt-il it en- Lgagesttheiupwardlyfprojecting portions of=the yokerimmediately ahead of the yoke by which it 'was elevated, -whereit' willfremain `until'lthe yokerthat itrests against 'sisi returnedtto i its` original position. -As soon. as.' the? leadhing lworkpiece fof ithe `series thas :advanced .beyond fthe :yokeby whichitwasielevated, such-fyokewillfreturn to rits 'zcfri'ginal zposition. lnrider the inuence .of gravity, whereupon the succeeding workpiece-is `freeztoadvance :until it engages the lrear extremities of the 'next vtrack section. :'Ilbis zactionicontinuesuntil all of Atheworkpieces :in i 'the series S'have :advanced one position. 4The itraling yokezin 'theseries l'andiits track sections arefthus emptied in order to receive the leading workpiecefofithe :next 4.series -of workpieces which :are advanced in -`.the '.samefmannerfbyfacmationfof.theother pusher .'16.

10i course if fall "the workpieces "had Ito "oe `advanced 1 in sequence-thronghouttheentirel length: ofV thef unitfthen operationiofftheilatterflwould be objectionablyislow'for many-purposes. iHowever in thisarrangementsubstam tiallymne half the total'numberrof yokes-are `movedfby reach pusher, .andi'by-ananging the Vyokes in series or `sets of saytive,an'd spacingladjacent setslfromronean fotheribysimilar sets actuatedfbythe `otherpusheL-'the time required formovingworkpieces on'the yokes of all `the.-sets.actuatedbyoeither pusher is lonly substantially ithe samevas thatirequired forr advancing the workpieces fon wall:theyelces.` of'anyone set.

Suitably mounted on the unit is '-a oonventionalfhyfdnauliopumping-.set 'including'ai tank 24, a' motor 25*aud -pinsl30 to=anges 29 and 29a,'each of-which 'extends f downwardlyffrom oneot the pusheisfld.

Each cylinder 227er '27a is -ald'aptedfto be'connecte'd to "by 'a return=line133 or 1133a, respectively. A- solenoid-valve 13'41'having aspring returnisinterposed in-'the lines 32 and 33 and normally retains'the line `3:3 open and the line 32 closedhoweverwhenthe'solenoid 438 in the valve 34 'fis energized theline '32 is 'temporarily opened and'the 65` line "53A is' then closed. Asimilar solenoid valve 34a"hav ing 'a' springreturnnormally holds the: line 33a open' and 'the 'line 32aclosed.

"Ilre pushers 16 may Ibe Ialternately reciprocated at timed intervals in theifollowing manner: When aswitch 35 is closed. a circuit relay-36 is energized. The" latter is .connected to a timerrelay 37-`through which the sole- ,noidsf38 andfdsa forming parts of the valves '34 and'34'a, =respectively,.are..adapted'rst toopen Vthefeed linel32, or

..32a, Vand .subsequently to close. thelast .mentionedline 76.

aridopen-:thexetumiiu-S, or .33m The.elecnical :cir-

cuit which controls actuation of the pushers 16 is therefore arranged so that each of the pushers completes its reciprocating movement before the other pusher is reciprocated. The timing relay 37 may be so designed as to initiate actuation of the pushers at appropriate intervals allowing suicient time between reciprocation of the two pushers for all of the workpieces which are advanced by one pusher to move ahead onto the next forward track sections before the other pusher is actuated to advance the remaining sets of workpieces.

The construction of the unit is also such that its length may be readily increased by securing additional plates 6 vthereto by straps 49. In which case the length of the pushers is correspondingly increased by attaching extensions 41 to them as by pins 17a.

In the modified arrangement shown in Figure 8, a plurality of uniformly spaced yokes 11f are pivoted as be fore on pins 8f which support track sections 9j and 10f at a forward and downward inclination. Each yoke 11i is again adapted to elevate a workpiece AA and discharge it in a forward direction as indicated by the arrow F. This form of construction may be employed for handling shafting or similar parts which are of uniform diameter and have no flanges or other enlargements thereon which necessitate the maintenance of spacing between adjacent workpieces. Moreover this form of construction is particularly adpatable for such workpieces in process of manufacture which are not liable to be damaged by coming into contact with one another during their travel.

While in the foregoing the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, it is understood that further alterations and modifications may be made thereto provided the said alterations and modificati-ons fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. A conveying unit comprising a fixed workpiece supporting structure including a plurality of track sections, each track section having an article supporting surface inclined downwardly toward its forward end, the rear extremity of each track section projecting above the forward end of the track section immediately behind it to provide a stop for the workpiece traveling along the track section behind it, a plurality of elevating members movably mounted on said structure, means for moving said members in one direction to lift workpieces stopped against said rear extremities of said track sections and deposit them on the next forward track sections, said members being movable back to their original positions by gravity, each of said members when moved in said one direction having a portion thereof disposed in the path of the workpiece followinglr the workpiece which it elevates to prevent movement of said following workpiece along its track section until said member returns to its original position under the influence of gravity, each said member being engaged by the workpiece it has elevated to prevent return movement of each member as long as the workpiece it has elevated is stopped against the next forward member, whereby said workpieces are advanced in succession along said track sections beginning with the leading workpiece.

2. A conveying unit comprising a supporting structure having an article supporting surface thereon, all portions of said supporting surface being inclined downwardly toward the forward end of said unit, a plurality of stop means spaced along the length of said supporting surface, each of said stop means projecting above that portion of the supporting surface immediately behind said stop means to provide a stop for the workpiece traveling along such portion 'of said surface, a plurality of elevating members movably mounted on said structure, means for actuating said members to lift workpieces stopped against said stop means and deposit them on the next forward portions of said supporting surface, said members being returnable to their original positions by gravity, each of said members having a portion thereof movable into the path of the workpiece following the workpiece which it elevates to prevent movement of said following workpiece until said member returns to its original position underthe inuence of gravity, each said member having a portion thereof engaging the workpiece it has elevated to prevent return movement of each member as long as the workpiece it has elevated is stopped against the next forward member, whereby said workpieces are advanced in succession along said supporting surf'ace beginning with the leading workpiece.

3. A conveying unit comprising a plurality :of track sections, each track section having an article supporting surface inclined downwardly toward its forward end, the rear extremity of each track section projecting above the forward end of the track section immediately behind it to provide a stop for a workpiece traveling along the track section behind it, a plurality of pivoted elevating members, means for pivoting said members in. one direction to lift workpieces stopped against said rearI extremities of said track sections and deposit them on the next forward track sections, said members being pivota'ble in the opposite direction by gravity, each of said members when pivoted in said one direction having a portion thereof movable into the path of lthe workpiece following the workpiece which it elevates -to prevent movement of said following workpiece until said member returns to its original position under the influence of gravity, each said member having a portion thereof engaging the underside of the workpiece it has elevated to prevent return movement of said member as long as such workpiece is stopped against the next forward of said members, whereby said workpieces are advanced in succession along said track sections beginning with the leading workpiece.

4. A conveying unit comprising a frame, a fixed workpiece supporting structure comprising a plurality of track sections supported from said frame, each track section having an article supporting surface inclined downwardly toward its forward end, the rear extremity of each track section projecting above the forward end of the track section immediately behind -it to provide a stop for the workpiece traveling along the track section behind it, an elevating member pivotally mounted on said frame at each said track section, means for pivoting said members to lift workpieces stopped against said rear extremities of said track sections onto the next forward track sections, said members being returned to their original positions by gravity, each of said members having a portion thereof movable into the path of the workpiece following the workpiece which it elevates to prevent movement of said following workpiece along its track section until said member returns to its original position under the iniuence of gravity, each said member engaging the workpiece it has elevated to prevent return movement of said member as long as such workpiece is stopped against the next forward of said members, whereby said workpieces are advanced in succession along said track sections as soon as the leading workpiece disengages its elevating member.

5. A conveying unit Comprising a frame, a fixed workpiece supporting structure comprising a plurality of track sections supported from said frame, each track section having an article supporting surface inclined downwardly toward its forward end, the rear extremity of each track section projecting above the forward end of the track section immediately behind it to provide a stop for the workpiece traveling along the track section behind it, an elevating member mounted on said frame at each said track section, and means for actuating said members to lift workpieces stopped against said rear extremities of said track sections onto the next forward track sections, said actuating means comprising a plurality of independently operable means each of which is engageable with a plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of said elevating members, each said set of elevating members consisting of a plurality of consecutive elevating members.

'6. A conveying unit according to 'claim 5 including means `for effecting alternate operation-ofsaid -actuat-ing means.

.7. A conveying unit comprising a frame,a plurality. of track sections supportedrfrom said frame, each track section having anarticle support-ing surface inclineddownwardly toward its forward end,.the rear extremityof each track-section projecting above theforward VeudofA thetrack section immediately'behind it to provide a stop for the workpiece traveling along the track section A,behind it, elevating members movably mounted on said frame for lifting workpieces stopped against said rear extremities of said tracksections onto the next forward track sections, and .a plurality of independently operable actuating means for said Aelevating members, each'of saidactuating stop .for the workpiece traveling along the track section 5 .behind iban-elevating memberpivotally mounted `on-said .frame ateach said track section, means for pivoting said members to .lift workpieces stopped against said rear extremities of ysaid .track sections onto the next-forward i8 track sections, rsaid .members being returned to their original positionsby gravity, each of said members having a portion thereof movable into the path of .the workpiece .following the .workpiece which it elevates to prevent movement `ofsaid .following workpiece along its track section .,unti1,:said .member returns to its original position under the :inuence.of .gravity, .each said member engaging the workpieceithaselevated to prevent return movement .of `each .member .until the next forward of said members has returned to .its said original position, whereby said workpieces are advanced in succession alongvsaid tracksections as soon as the leading workpiece disengages its elevating member, and a plurality of actuating means for pivoting said elevating members, each said actuating means being operable to pivota plurality of spaced sets oftelevating members, each said set comprising a ,number of consecutively disposed elevating members.

References Citedin the tile of this patent vUNITED -STATES PATENTS :617,116 McDaniels Jan. 3, 1899 1,298,327 Githens Mar. 25, -1919 1,919,199 Camerota July 25, 193.3 2,818,967 fBogle Jan. 7, -1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 327,637 Great Britain Apr. .10, 1930 

